Planned Parenthood Planning Assignment

For my research and message planning assignment, I chose to look further into Planned Parenthood as a non-profit organization. Planned Parenthood is an organization that has been around for over 100 years, as it was founded in October of 1916. Some of the many resources that are offered at these facilities are free or cheap access to women’s reproductive health- including papsmears, mammograms, and STD checks. Other services offered are access to abortion and contraception for all women; this is where the negative perception comes into play. It’s been a long and ongoing battle with separation of church and state, but somehow the the morality issues still play such a damaging role in the perception of what Planned Parenthood is really providing.
Many of the naysayers believe that abortion is murder, and should not be the choice of the women whose body is assumed to carry out the pregnancy. Furthermore, the access to contraception is viewed as promoting sexual activity rather than promoting abstinence-only education like so many schools do. As most of the Republican-backed members of Congress have tried for years for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, they have yet to be successful in that endeavor.
My suggestions for media strategies that would combat the negative perceptions of Planned Parenthood would be simple, yet effective.
First, I would seek out testimonials from women of all ages, ethnicities, and of services received from Planned Parenthood. Testimonials offer a tangible look into the good that has come from the access to these medical necessities for women and does so in a way that pertains to individuals who respond to pathos. Secondly, I would initiate more interaction and conversation with members of the Congress and try to find resolution or middle-ground in their perceptions of the organization. If communication is flowing and consistent, that is where understanding and new ideas can be
born.
Lastly, I would implement a social media campaign that targets millennials who may not have access to affordable health care, but also may not know enough about the resources offered at Planned Parenthood.
There are many celebrities and public figures who already speak out on behalf of Planned Parenthood, and I would work to encourage more of that with the campaign. With this, I would propose a 3-6 part video series, each including a different celebrity figure, to speak towards the benefits of having access to facilities that want to promote women’s health and reproductive rights. I believe that with an organization like this, combating the negative perceptions will be an ongoing battle and new tactics and strategies will have to be addressed often. But, this is where I would start in that process.

In regards to my team, I am responsible for the media strategy presentation. I believe this assignment gave me better insight into what needs to be done for my group project, and I feel confident in the steps my team and I will take to provide a thorough representation of media and social media strategies and
analyses.